TYZX announces iRobot's selection of TYZX G3 EVS for advanced work in autonomous robots

TYZX, the 3D vision technology company, today announced that iRobot Corporation has chosen the TYZX DeepSea G3 Embedded Vision System (EVS) to provide real-time vision and depth perception for selected new developments in autonomous military robots.

TYZX introduced the G3 EVS at the Association of the US Army (AUSA) in Washington, DC in October 2009. Building on over a decade of experience fielding advanced stereo vision systems, the G3 is the TYZX's smallest and most powerful 3D vision system yet. About the size of a hardback book, the TYZX G3 EVS processes high-resolution image data at up to 60 fps, while consuming minimal power. Onboard image processing delivers minimal latency, ensuring that unmanned system applications receive highly accurate range data fast enough to take action.

In 2009, TYZX announced that iRobot had integrated the G3's predecessor, the TYZX G2 EVS, onto its PackBot and Warrior platforms: rugged tactical mobile robots designed to perform dangerous search, reconnaissance and bomb-disposal missions while keeping troops out of harm's way.

For iRobot unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), the TYZX G3 EVS provides:

- Enhanced Situational Awareness via 3D Visualization - Standard monocular cameras provide video footage that is "flat," sometimes making it difficult for a robot operator to judge distance. 3D visualization provides depth perception and a more detailed view of the environment.
- Person Detection and Person Following Capabilities - Using the TYZX system for person detection, iRobot researchers are developing advanced autonomous navigation algorithms to demonstrate person following capabilities.
- Obstacle Detection and Obstacle Avoidance (ODOA) Capabilities for Increased Autonomy - TYZX G3 systems support autonomous ODOA for complex vertical structures. ODOA technology enables robots to navigate through buildings and difficult terrain.

"TYZX solutions have proven they can provide the high-resolution, low-latency sensor data that are essential for autonomous military robots," said Tom Wagner, Senior Vice President and Chief Technological Officer for iRobot. "For UGV applications, the TYZX G3 offers important benefits that were also offered by the G2, such as passive sensing, onboard processing and a lack of moving parts. The G3 offers additional advantages, such as higher resolution and frame rates, as well as lower latency and lower power. We look forward to making use of the G3's robust capabilities."

"With the Unmanned Systems marketplace clearly emphasizing greater levels of autonomy, real-time perception systems are playing an increasingly vital role," said Ron Buck, President and CEO of TYZX. "iRobot is at the forefront of autonomous systems development. We're very pleased that they selected the TYZX DeepSea G3 as the 3D vision solution for this important work."

Source: TYZX

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